The Muppets season 1 study guide: Everything to know about the revival

The last time we saw them on the screen, the Muppets were scrambling to save their studio and getting caught up in a crime heist in the films The Muppets and Muppets Most Wanted. But after their rousing surprise appearance at Comic-Con, fans are excited to see how the gang will fare in primetime. The Muppets, helmed by executive producers Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory) and Bob Kushell (Anger Management), premieres Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

What’s it about?

The mockumentary-style sitcom takes viewers behind the scenes of Miss Piggy’s late night talk show, Up Late with Miss Piggy, and explores the personal lives of the Muppets on the set and off. Fozzie has struck up a relationship with a human girl, Gonzo’s experimenting with online dating, and Piggy and Kermit, despite a much-publicized breakup over the summer, are navigating murky waters as Kermit continues to serve as executive producer of his ex’s show. (Their relationship won’t be any easier especially now that Kermit has a new lady friend, Denise.)

Who’s in it?

Kermit is the executive producer of Up Late with Miss Piggy, Gonzo is the head writer, and Fozzie Bear is Piggy’s on-air sidekick. Gonzo’s staff writers include Rizzo the Rat and Pepe the King Prawn. Dr. Teeth, Janice, Lips, Animal, Zoot, and Floyd Pepper make up Piggy’s on-air band, Electric Mayhem. Other recurring Muppets include The Swedish Chef (who handles catering), Beaker and Bunsen (who regularly appear on Piggy’s show), Sam the Eagle (the stern head of network broadcast standards), Scooter (the talent booker) and Rowlf the Dog (who owns the tavern across the street from the studio).

The creators and EPs have been touting a more adult version of The Muppets that gives an in-depth look at their personal lives and relationships.

“The trick of the show, if it works, is to make it feel for the first time that you’re seeing the Muppets in our world. There’s no barrier in the world that they’re in and the world that we’re in,” Bill Prady said.

And as for the mockumentary style, Prady is sure that Muppets creator Jim Henson would have approved.

“About 10 years ago I started thinking about putting the Muppets back on television and what Jim would do,” Prady said. “I decided that if Jim were looking at television today, he’d see the kinds of shows that are on, like The Office, and that’s what he’d want to make fun of. So I said this could be a way to do it.”

To get a better idea of what the show will be like, watch the 10-minute pitch that convinced ABC to pick up the series.